No goals in France-Portugal as Les Bleus advance to next round following 5-3 penalty shootout thanks to fatal João Félix miss.
France ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s bid to win the title at his last European Championship by beating Portugal 5-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of Euro 2024.
After the game finished 0-0 following extra time, Portugal substitute Joao Felix hit a post with the only miss in the shootout and Theo Hernández converted the clinching kick.
It was a record sixth and last European Championship for the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who scored Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout and ended up consoling fellow veteran Pepe afterwards, as the 41-year-old defender cried on his captain’s shoulder.
Ronaldo’s career in the Euros included the title in 2016 — when Portugal beat France in the final – and it remains to be seen if the five-time world player of the year will continue playing for his country through to the 2026 World Cup.
The victory ended Kylian Mbappé’s and France’s heartbreak in shootouts, having lost in them at their last two major tournaments – in the last 16 at the Euros in 2021 and in the 2022 World Cup final.
Mbappé didn’t even take a penalty in the shootout, having been substituted after the first half of extra time following a couple of knocks to his broken nose that was covered by a protective mask.
“It wasn’t easy,” France goalkeeper Mike Maignan said. “We didn’t always play that great, it was a complicated game. We played well defensively.”
“We got to the penalty shootout and didn’t waver. We can be proud of ourselves.”
France will play Spain in the semifinals after their extra-time win over Germany in Stuttgart, with Les Bleus staying on course for a third European Championship title after 1984 and 2000.
Didier Deschamps’ team have reached the semifinals despite no France player having scored from open play so far in the tournament.
Portugal exited having failed to score in either of its knockout games – the team beat Slovenia on penalties in the last 16 – and their final group match.
Germany heartbreak amid denied handball penalty against Spain
Spain are through to the semifinals of Euro 2024 after beating Germany 2-1 in a tight game in Stuttgart that was only decided in extra time.
The Mannschaft confirmed their negative record against La Roja, whom they haven’t managed to defeat in a major football tournament since Euro ’88.
The game got off to a tough start with fifteen fouls and three yellow cards in the first half alone.
Germany’s Toni Kroos got off lightly after two tackles worthy of a booking in the first ten minutes, one of which injured Spain’s Pedri, who had to be substituted.
ADVERTISEMENTOverall, it wasn’t a spectacular start, with the two young stars Jamal Musiala and Lamine Yamal failing to make much of an impact – especially the Spaniard, who was able to play more balls.
Spain seemed slightly more aggressive and organised than the hosts, particularly in using counterattacks. However, it was the hosts who had the best chances in the first half, both with Kai Havertz.
The Arsenal midfielder first tried with a powerful but not greatly placed header in the 21st minute. Then he fired a shot in the 35th minute after beautifully controlling a long ball from Rudiger from the defence, and turning past Le Normand.
Spain kept the same, dominating attitude in the second half and managed to convert at 51th with substitute Dani Olmo, who netted past Neuer a low shot into the bottom-left corner.
ADVERTISEMENTGermany increased the pace after conceding the goal, nearing the leveller in the 77th minute with a Fullkrug ball that hit the post.
Just ten minutes later, the German efforts were rewarded. Kimmich outjumped Cucurella and headed the ball into the middle of the box for Wirtz, who slotted it past Spain’s goalie Simon into the bottom left corner.
Extra time was heartstopping with a rapid fire of chances on each side.
First, a sharp shot by the Spanish player Oyarzabal just wide off the post, followed by a very similar attempt by Germany’s Wirtz.
ADVERTISEMENTGermany seemed to have a slight edge over Spain towards the end.
First, they claimed a penalty for an alleged handball by Cucurella, and then nearly scored with a well-placed header by Fullkrug in the 107th, brilliantly saved by Simon.
But it was Spain who finally produced the winner.
In the 119th minute, Dani Olmo whacked a free-kick ball into the box and found Merino, who powerfully headed the ball past Neuer to come on top 2-1 and seal the victory.
ADVERTISEMENTThis was also the last game of Germany’s legend, World Cup and Champions League winner Toni Kroos, who had previously announced his retirement after Euro 2024.
Source: Euro News
